# Bikers and ball peen hammers? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [September 22, 2016, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bikers-and-ball-peen-hammers/766577 "2016-09-22T14:55:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Leo\_Bloom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leo_bloom/32/10377_2.png) [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2016, 2:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bikers-and-ball-peen-hammers/766577/21 "2016-09-23T14:09:38Z")
On peen, thanks to duke and dc. Even got a ref! ---
**Author:** ![BubbaDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bubbadog/32/333_2.png) [@BubbaDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BubbaDog)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2016, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bikers-and-ball-peen-hammers/766577/22 "2016-09-23T14:11:29Z")
> [@DCnDC](#): > > Follow-up question: what motorcycle repair, if any, specifically calls for a ball peen hammer? Outside of fixing a dented fender—none. But the idea wasn’t that a hammer was needed for motorcycles. It is an object which has a well known intended purpose as a tool and, as such, was quite easily defend-able as “not a weapon” ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2016, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bikers-and-ball-peen-hammers/766577/23 "2016-09-23T14:19:30Z")
> [@leftfield6](#): > > A nitpick, but a fascinating one, at least to me. It is NOT Hell’s Angels. It is Hells Angels. No apostrophe. Their website plainly points out that this is intentional. Well, there have been rumors of members being executed for splitting infinitives, so they are known for being strict grammarians! ---
**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2016, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bikers-and-ball-peen-hammers/766577/24 "2016-09-23T14:32:44Z")
> [@DCnDC](#): > > Follow-up question: what motorcycle repair, if any, specifically calls for a ball peen hammer? AFAIK it’s an “All Purpose Installation/Alignment Tool” for AMF-era Harleys. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2016, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bikers-and-ball-peen-hammers/766577/25 "2016-09-23T14:37:28Z")
> [@jz78817](#): > > AFAIK it’s an “All Purpose Installation/Alignment Tool” for AMF-era Harleys. > > 😉 The Two Tool Kit. If it’s supposed to move and doesn’t, hit it with the hammer. If it moves and it’s not supposed to, wrap it with duct tape. ---
**Author:** ![crowmanyclouds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crowmanyclouds/32/19884_2.png) [@crowmanyclouds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crowmanyclouds)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2016, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bikers-and-ball-peen-hammers/766577/26 "2016-09-23T15:31:36Z")
> [@DCnDC](#): > > It means “the opposite face of a hammer,” i.e. the non-striking side of the head. Both faces of a peening hammer are striking faces! > [@Duke\_of\_Rat](#): > > Back when rivets were a more common form of fastener, you would stick the rivet through a hole and flatten the end of the shank. This flattening action is called peening. The tool used to peen a rivet (if you’re doing it by hand - not a jackhammer like pneumatic peener) is a ball peen hammer. > > [http://www.forth-armoury.com/research/peen\_rivets/how\_to\_peen\_a\_rivet.htm](http://www.forth-armoury.com/research/peen_rivets/how_to_peen_a_rivet.htm) That would’ve been my go to answer . . . if I hadn’t looked it up, > [@](#): > > [Peening](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peening) is the process of working a metal’s surface to improve its material properties, usually by mechanical means, such as hammer blows, {…}. Peening is normally a cold work process {…}. It tends to expand the surface of the cold metal, thereby inducing compressive stresses or relieving tensile stresses already present. Peening can also encourage strain hardening of the surface metal. so, peening doesn’t _just_ form the peened head of the rivet. To add another complication, when you’re working metal the shape of the peen affects the direction of the stresses you’re causing to the metal. This is why a well equipped metal worker might have, in addition to ball-peens of various weights, one or more; cross, straight (a kind of cross\*), diagonal, point and/or chisel peen hammer(s)! (\*Cross-peens are at a right angle to the handle, straight-peens are aligned with the handle.) Balls stretch the metal in all directions, the others, mostly, limit the stretch to a particular direction. CMC fnord! Who’s embarrassed at least one blacksmith with the question “Why aren’t you using a cross-peen to draw that out?” (The answer was “'Cause I forgot to pack my cross-peens!”) ---
**Author:** ![wguy123](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wguy123/32/3161_2.png) [@wguy123](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wguy123)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2016, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bikers-and-ball-peen-hammers/766577/27 "2016-09-23T17:26:40Z")
When you are a felon, carrying that hammer is allowed while a firearm is not. When in doubt, knock 'em out. ---
**Author:** ![Jake\_Randall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c77e96/32.png) [@Jake\_Randall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jake_Randall)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2017, 9:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bikers-and-ball-peen-hammers/766577/28 "2017-10-30T09:36:40Z")
Shouldn’t you ask yourself, where did this group of people, this group of men. Where did they originate and why? Someone said earlier in this thread something that resembled the truth. But unless you’re a member you’re not going to get the real truth, and even if you are a member, 70 years later do you think you’re really going to get The absolute truth. Somewhere around the late 1950s there is another person that was so presumptuous he instructed the club, that they were going to assimilate into and around his life. But that wasn’t the intentions of the club. And the comment about outlaw, more resembles the truth than anything I’ve read on this thread. Well most anything. When the AMA said only 1% of the worlds group of motorcycle enthusiast acted in this or that way, what gave them the right to decide what the world group of motorcycle enthusiast were to begin with? Did they take some written pole with names and addresses? Or did they just throw some comment into the wind and some journalist wrote it down and printed it? So follow everything back to its origin if you can. So here’s something I can tell you, that ball peen hammer lives in the spirit of, “any place any time”. You can interpret that however you want to, because it doesn’t affect the way true believer thinks. And what’s the difference between that ball peen hammer, and words of truth in the defense of someone treated unjustly? I had a judge one time tell me, I’m going to classify your fists as a deadly weapon now. I myself don’t need a ball peen hammer and never did. And I never set out to have a judge register my fists. All I ever did was defend myself against bigotry, against selfish individuals that were afraid of something different. I have children and grandchildren who adore me, I also had a judge once tell folks, “we’re not going to allow this restraining order against Jake, because we have a feeling there is no piece of paper that could restrain him if he did not want to be restrained”, So you can assume all you want as you are reading my post. It doesn’t change anything about who I am and what I believe. But get too close and try and take something from me or my family, and that explanation will become real clear, real quick. Ball peen not included ---
**Author:** ![Jake\_Randall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c77e96/32.png) [@Jake\_Randall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jake_Randall)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2017, 9:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bikers-and-ball-peen-hammers/766577/29 "2017-10-30T09:49:32Z")
> [@wguy123](#): > > When you are a felon, carrying that hammer is allowed while a firearm is not. > > When in doubt, knock 'em out. wguy123, most readers won’t read between the lines, not in the correct way. They’ll just make an assumption that organizations like the AMA or HOG or whatever majority rule group it is blasting out damnnation against motorcycle enthusiast that have heart, They will just make the assumption that you are supporting this mysterious organization that is outside of the majority rule and they’re all mighty righteousness. The majority have already condemned you, because you’re not one of them. There’s nothing you can say to convince them otherwise. If you’re not one of the drones that follow, you are condemned and anything you say or think will be held against you. And I am sure by my comments people would think I am not patriotic and not law-abiding. I’m probably one of the most law-abiding people I have ever seen or known. And all I have ever done is say something like, you are mistaken that accusation is not correct, and my physical actions has always been, never draw blood first. Never! I can live with a clean conscience, because I have never said a crossword first, and I have never swung first, not once not ever. The reason they condemned you is because you are not like them. Because you are good, your intentions are good and free, and they hate you for it. Remember the proverb that says, “be kind to those hating you and you heap fiery coals on their head”… why would someone get so angry at someone kind? If you don’t know the answer to that, we don’t know what to say do we wguy123 ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2017, 9:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bikers-and-ball-peen-hammers/766577/30 "2017-10-30T09:51:16Z")
> [@Atamasama](#): > > He claimed that it was preferred because the nearly-symmetrical head of that kind of hammer allows you to quickly pull it out and hit someone with it without worrying about whether you’re holding it the right way (unlike, say, a claw hammer). When you’re using a claw hammer as a weapon, which is the wrong side to hit someone with? ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2017, 10:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bikers-and-ball-peen-hammers/766577/31 "2017-10-30T10:43:13Z")
What’s the right kind of hammer to use on zombies? ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2017, 11:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bikers-and-ball-peen-hammers/766577/32 "2017-10-30T11:32:05Z")
> [@cochrane](#): > > What’s the right kind of hammer to use on zombies? A [dead blow hammer.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dead_blow_hammer) It has shot in the head. ---
**Author:** ![Randolph](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Randolph](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Randolph)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2017, 12:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bikers-and-ball-peen-hammers/766577/33 "2017-10-30T12:02:18Z")
> [@Duke\_of\_Rat](#): > > The tool used to peen a rivet (if you’re doing it by hand - not a jackhammer like **pneumatic peener** ) is a ball peen hammer. I’ve found my new gay porn star name! Now I just need the gay and the porn and the star. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2017, 12:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bikers-and-ball-peen-hammers/766577/34 "2017-10-30T12:59:08Z")
> [@Jake\_Randall](#): > > Shouldn’t you ask yourself, where did this group of people, this group of men. Where did they originate and why? Someone said earlier in this thread something that resembled the truth. But unless you’re a member you’re not going to get the real truth, and even if you are a member, 70 years later do you think you’re really going to get The absolute truth. Somewhere around the late 1950s there is another person that was so presumptuous he instructed the club, that they were going to assimilate into and around his life. But that wasn’t the intentions of the club. And the comment about outlaw, more resembles the truth than anything I’ve read on this thread. Well most anything. When the AMA said only 1% of the worlds group of motorcycle enthusiast acted in this or that way, what gave them the right to decide what the world group of motorcycle enthusiast were to begin with? Did they take some written pole with names and addresses? Or did they just throw some comment into the wind and some journalist wrote it down and printed it? So follow everything back to its origin if you can. So here’s something I can tell you, that ball peen hammer lives in the spirit of, “any place any time”. You can interpret that however you want to, because it doesn’t affect the way true believer thinks. And what’s the difference between that ball peen hammer, and words of truth in the defense of someone treated unjustly? I had a judge one time tell me, I’m going to classify your fists as a deadly weapon now. I myself don’t need a ball peen hammer and never did. And I never set out to have a judge register my fists. All I ever did was defend myself against bigotry, against selfish individuals that were afraid of something different. I have children and grandchildren who adore me, I also had a judge once tell folks, “we’re not going to allow this restraining order against Jake, because we have a feeling there is no piece of paper that could restrain him if he did not want to be restrained”, So you can assume all you want as you are reading my post. It doesn’t change anything about who I am and what I believe. But get too close and try and take something from me or my family, and that explanation will become real clear, real quick. Ball peen not included I’ve no idea what point you’re actually trying to make. I hope that doesn’t annoy you or your family. ---
**Author:** ![GusNSpot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gusnspot/32/436_2.png) [@GusNSpot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GusNSpot)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2017, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bikers-and-ball-peen-hammers/766577/35 "2017-10-30T15:52:20Z")
> [@Mangetout](#): > > I’ve no idea what point you’re actually trying to make. I hope that doesn’t annoy you or your family. I understand every word Jake Randall said. & IMO, this kind of comment you are making is one of the reasons why he says what he does. ---
**Author:** ![md2000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/73ab20/32.png) [@md2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/md2000)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2017, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bikers-and-ball-peen-hammers/766577/36 "2017-10-30T16:07:48Z")
I’ve never heard of ball peen associated with a motorcycling group. I do recall reading in a motorcycle magazine many decades ago some motorcyclist remarked he carried in his boot a 15-inch crescent wrench (in the days before metric crescent wrenches). He used it to reinforce the learning experience on doors, windshields or mirrors for idiots that got too close to him on the roads. Apparently some American auto drivers felt it their duty to come as close as they could to a motorcyclist, because, you know, they not the cyclist owned the road. (If I can reach your vehicle with my hand, one of us is not properly in their lane…) ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2017, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bikers-and-ball-peen-hammers/766577/37 "2017-10-30T16:46:29Z")
> [@GusNSpot](#): > > I understand every word Jake Randall said. > > & IMO, this kind of comment you are making is one of the reasons why he says what he does. I understand them, too, and that’s why people hate (and fear) outlaw gangs. I should applaud his rugged individualism because he is capable of severely injuring people “any place, any time” but take heart because his grandkids love him? And doesn’t everybody get a restraining order against them now and then? We all understand. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2017, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bikers-and-ball-peen-hammers/766577/38 "2017-10-30T16:47:10Z")
> [@md2000](#): > > I’ve never heard of ball peen associated with a motorcycling group. I do recall reading in a motorcycle magazine many decades ago some motorcyclist remarked he carried in his boot a 15-inch crescent wrench (in the days before metric crescent wrenches). He used it to reinforce the learning experience on doors, windshields or mirrors for idiots that got too close to him on the roads. Apparently some American auto drivers felt it their duty to come as close as they could to a motorcyclist, because, you know, they not the cyclist owned the road. > > (If I can reach your vehicle with my hand, one of us is not properly in their lane…) It’s so dangerous when a vehicle gets too close that his response is to get closer, take one hand of the handlebars, and swing a heavy object? What a fine teachable moment that must be. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2017, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bikers-and-ball-peen-hammers/766577/39 "2017-10-30T17:06:53Z")
> [@GusNSpot](#): > > I understand every word Jake Randall said. Me too. They’re all English words - it’s the meaning and intent that was just not very clear to me. > [@](#): > > & IMO, this kind of comment you are making is one of the reasons why he says what he does. Well, I’m sorry for whatever I did wrong. I didn’t understand something and I said so. If I understood the meaning, I would maybe also understand why saying that I don’t understand the meaning is one of the reasons why he says what he does. Do you see the problem? ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2017, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bikers-and-ball-peen-hammers/766577/40 "2017-10-30T17:25:55Z")
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